{"id":1627,"date":"2016-01-01T20:36:20","date_gmt":"2016-01-02T01:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/?page_id=1627"},"modified":"2020-08-21T16:15:06","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T21:15:06","slug":"preparing-for-kidding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/natural-raising\/my-holistic-methods\/preparing-for-kidding\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for Kidding"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"You'vePreparation for kidding here at our farm begins months in advance. \u00a0Be sure to check out of “You’ve GOT to be Kidding?!” Kit information page<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/strong> for more details!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0use <\/span>Guardian Extract<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span> to spray the goat kids umbilical cords.\u00a0 This works excellently, and is totally beneficial to use in place of iodine.\u00a0 The iodine burns the tissue to dry it, Guardian extract<\/em>\u00a0causes the tissue to dry and shrivel, but is wholly beneficial and nourishes<\/span><\/em> the kid. See our “You’ve GOT to be Kidding?!” Kit<\/a><\/em><\/span> information page<\/strong>.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I’m going to refer you to <\/span>Fias Co Farm’s website<\/span><\/a><\/span> to see instructions on exactly what to do for Prenatal\/Kidding information.\u00a0\u00a0She\u00a0does an good\u00a0job describing things and\u00a0I do not see a reason to “reinvent the wheel” if I can send you to that site.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 I’m going to continue on to tell you exactly what I do for my does without having to go into all the detail Molly already covered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Kidding day<\/span><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Doe in Labor:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 After I have observed the signs that Molly describes at the Fias Co Farm link I gave above – ligaments gone\/almost gone, goo, etc. – I watch her very closely and let\u00a0her birth in\u00a0the location of her\u00a0choice if\u00a0the weather permits\u00a0(not freezing cold),\u00a0normally they all coincidentally\u00a0choose the exact same stall in the Doe Barn. This (allowing them to birth in the place of their choice)\u00a0speeds up the birthing process and gives them the comfort of keeping the nest that they worked hard on and being in a place that they feel safe and comfortable.\u00a0 I strongly believe in\u00a0home births for women, why would I force my girls to do something\u00a0different?? \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kidding Shed:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 I prepare the kidding shed\u00a01-2 weeks before the Doe’s due\u00a0date, so it is ready and waiting at a moment’s notice.\u00a0 I DO NOT put down a thick layer of straw.\u00a0 I use just enough that she can use it if she needs it, but not so much that it is a distraction to her.\u00a0 Mine tend to “nest” forever if I do that instead of getting on with the birth. \u00a0She has some hay and a bucket of water that is hung high enough that she will not accidentally birth the kid into\u00a0her water bucket. \u00a0That would be awful!\u00a0 I attend every birth at our farm,\u00a0but do not interfere with her birth unless necessary.\u00a0\u00a0I check on them periodically in the Doe Barn (their choice place to birth their kids).\u00a0 I’m thinking of investing\u00a0in a nice barn cam that I can access on the internet so that I do not disturb them too much.\u00a0 Once I see them start to push, I hang out with them and help if needed.\u00a0 I will immediately clean\u00a0off the kid’s nose and mouth and place them on a clean towel for the momma to clean off.\u00a0 After all kids are\u00a0born and washed\u00a0off\u00a0by momma, I move the new family to their “luxury suite” stall that I set up\u00a0in\u00a0our insulated garage.\u00a0 I can keep a close eye on them this way and watch for momma to pass the placenta.\u00a0 I set up the stall when I see her at the very beginning stage of labor – I really don’t want to move my van out if I don’t have to, I’m SPOILED by my garage! \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Herbs for birth.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u00a0use EZ Birth Extract<\/em><\/a><\/span> for the last 14 days\u00a0of their pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I encourage you to keep up with their vitamin\/mineral supplementation using Herbmins powder<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Birthing Kit:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 I’m going to send you over to <\/span>Fias Co Farm’s website<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/span> again now.\u00a0 But I have several things that I do differently, so I will go into detail about that here:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 I use Guardian Extract<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>instead of the 7% Iodine.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 I don’t bring a Martini, as I don’t drink. \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 I like chocolate<\/u><\/a><\/em><\/span> though!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude00<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 I use towels<\/u> instead of paper towels.\u00a0 The towels work much more efficiently, in my opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Instead of messing around trying to get my hands clean enough, I keep shoulder length surgical gloves<\/u><\/a><\/em><\/span> in\u00a0my Kidding Kit.\u00a0 You need to put a lubricant<\/u> on them before you “go in” to check, your Doe will appreciate it if you make the glove as slick as possible. \u00a0I make my own lubricant using Extra Virgin Olive Oil<\/a><\/em><\/span> (EVOO) and Lavender essential oil<\/em><\/a><\/span> (Lavender EO). \u00a05 drops of Lavender EO to every 1 teaspoon of EVOO. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. I use a box<\/u> instead of a “baby goat hut”.\u00a0 Cheaper and works well.\u00a0 You want to place them in the box after they are born to keep them from being accidentally stepped or laid on while the Doe is birthing the next kid.\u00a0 I place the box under a “warming light” to make sure the kid does not get chilled –\u00a0the light\u00a0is ONLY used if I am present.\u00a0 Otherwise, it is unplugged and removed from the stall area.<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 I like to keep Black Strap Molasses<\/u> in my kit.\u00a0 If the doe is having trouble bonding with her kids, smear that on them and she will lick them off.\u00a0 By the time she is done with the treat, the kids are not as scary anymore.\u00a0 The kids can sometimes be scary to a new momma (first freshener), as they keep trying to “attack” her (aka nurse).\u00a0 Just do this with the molasses and keep reassuring her and telling her that they are her babies and they are hungry and this is how she feeds them.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42 \u00a0 I have also had excellent results using Herbamins Extract<\/em><\/a><\/span> (see #7) the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 I keep Herbamins Extract<\/em><\/a><\/span>\u00a0in the kit, in case the kids are deficient in Selenium.\u00a0 You can tell if a kid is deficient, as they will be “soft” in their pasterns –\u00a0it appears that\u00a0the tendons in their legs are too loose.\u00a0 In other words, they will stand on their legs more like a horse looks than a goat.\u00a0 Their pastern (you will think this is their wrist\/ankle) will be too low to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8.\u00a0 Herbamins<\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 Sometimes kids are born and they are Vitamin A\/D deficient – the tendons in their legs appear to be too tight.\u00a0 It makes them “knuckle under” as if they were standing on their tip toes.\u00a0 I will be giving them Herbamins to correct this deficiency<\/strong> if I ever see it again this is what I would do: Put a dropperful\u00a0the Herbamins Extract<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span> in their mouth which will immediately absorb to into the bloodstream for fast results.\u00a0 All births:<\/strong> I give 1 drop<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0of this extract to all my goat kids right after they are born to give the a great start on life! \u00a0This absorbs sublingually (in their mouth, specifically “under the tongue”) and I doubt if they actually swallow<\/span> any due to the very small amount given.<\/em> <\/strong> \u00a0I generally give that right after<\/em><\/strong> I give them 1 drop<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u00a0of the Cayenne & Lobelia Tincture (see #9). \u00a0I have used a STRONG cold\u00a0Infusion (that is basically a fancy herbalist word for a “strong tea”)<\/em>\u00a0of Vitalerbs to correct a\u00a0deficiency with excellent results.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

9.\u00a0 Cayenne & Lobelia Tincture.<\/u>\u00a0 I orally (in mouth)\u00a0administer Cayenne & Lobelia Tincture\u00a0to EVERY goat kid\u00a0immediately after birth – before they even nurse.\u00a0 I clear their nose and mouth, dry their face a bit and THEN administer 1 drop<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0of Cayenne & Lobelia Tincture<\/span> into their mouth.\u00a0 It doesn’t take much. \u00a0This absorbs sublingually (in their mouth, specifically “under the tongue”) and I doubt if they actually swallow<\/span> any due to the very small amount given.<\/em> <\/strong>\u00a0It peps them up, provides lots of B vitamins and Vitamin C, supports the\u00a0circulatory and respiratory systems and helps with the stress of birth.\u00a0 You can buy the premade\u00a0<\/span>Cayenne Tincture and Lobelia Tincture (they are separate tinctures that will need to be combined)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from my store or you can make it yourself. \u00a0See<\/span> this page<\/a><\/em><\/span> for details.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

10. I use the<\/span> Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator<\/a>\"\"<\/span>\u00a0to clear the nose\/mouth of the newborns.\u00a0 It works great, and it disassembles for complete cleaning. \u00a0I don’t bother with the filters for it anymore, since they tend to fall out and I’ve never been anywhere near accidentally sucking the goo up into the tube.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a011.\u00a0 Pritchard tip nipple<\/a><\/span> and a bottle that it will fit on.\u00a0 The nipple can be purchased at a local farm supply store or online.\u00a0 I have used an old Faygo Cream Soda bottle in a pinch.\u00a0 I only use the Pritchard tips for our newborns.\u00a0 I cut part of the tip off to make the hole a bit bigger.\u00a0 NOTE: There is a tiny vent\u00a0hole in the yellow plastic, make sure\u00a0you position it\u00a0up beside the kid’s mouth or it will leak while they drink (at least I’ve had that issue before).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

12.\u00a0 Plastic Ice Cream bucket!<\/u>\u00a0 No… not to eat.\u00a0 It needs to be an empty plastic ice cream bucket with a lid – you know –\u00a0the cheap, bulk ice cream that you can buy in the store?\u00a0 THIS is something I should’ve thought of YEARS AGO.\u00a0 How many times have I been sitting with a doe FOREVER, and then when she starts really getting serious – nature calls for me!\u00a0 AH!\u00a0 I can’t run up to the house to go potty right then!!!\u00a0 SO, I use my trusty ice cream bucket!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude00\u00a0 Just make sure you bring tissue!!!\u00a0\u00a0TMI??\u00a0 Sorry!!!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude1b\u00a0 I was excited to think of it!\u00a0 LOL!<\/span><\/p>\n

That is everything I can think of right now.\u00a0 If I think of more, I will add it.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

I wanted to make it simple and easy for you to find these items, so I created the “You’ve GOT to be Kidding?!” Kit<\/em>. \u00a0Please<\/span> click here<\/a><\/em><\/span> to find it.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Please see my<\/span> “Links & Discounts<\/a><\/em>“<\/span> page for sources and contact information for products listed in this page.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Preparation for kidding here at our farm begins months in advance. \u00a0Be sure to check out of “You’ve GOT to be Kidding?!” Kit information page for more details! I\u00a0use Guardian Extract to spray the goat kids umbilical cords.\u00a0 This works excellently, and is totally beneficial to use in place of iodine.\u00a0 The iodine burns the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":37,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1627","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1627\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/landofhavilahfarm.com\/loh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}